Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies have brought back to Mendocino County a fugitive who had fled to Mexico in a kidnapping and rape case from 2008.

According to the MCSO, deputies got a tip in 2011, of the whereabouts of Julio Rangel Ceja, 22, who was wanted in a July 26, 2008 case when it was alleged that Ceja and a co-conspirator (Jose Lopez Garibay) kidnapped and forcibly raped a 14-year-old girl in Boonville. During the multiple acts of rape, the victim was repeatedly beaten and told she was to be murdered. The victim later escaped to safety while Ceja and his co-conspirator fled Mendocino County to avoid law enforcement apprehension. Arrest warrants were issued in Mendocino County for Ceja and Garibay.

On July 21, 2011, a man contacted Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives claiming to have information on Ceja, but wanted to remain anonymous.

The tipster said that a person he had seen on the America's Most Wanted television program, Julio Rangel Ceja, was in a Mexico jail serving time on local charges. The tipster claimed he had direct knowledge Julio Rangel Ceja was in custody in Mexico. Sheriff's Detectives tried to reach the proper Mexican authorities to confirm the tip, to no avail. Sheriff's Detectives requested assistance from the United States Attorney's Office.

In February 2012 the United States Attorney's Office was able to prepare and translate affidavits and warrants after United States Marshals Service personnel were able to confirm that Ceja was in custody in Mexico as reported. On Sept. 27 Julio Rangel Ceja was extradited from Mexico to the United States. On Oct. 1 a Mendocino County Sheriff's Detective traveled to the Bay Area and took custody of Ceja who was then transported and booked into theMendocino County Jail on a no bail status.